Court of Appeal Sacks Wike-Backed APC Executive Committee in Rivers State

The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt has upheld the nullification of the Nyesom Wike-backed All Progressives Congress executive committee in Rivers State led by Chief Tony Okocha, deepening the party’s crisis in the state ahead of the 2027 governorship primaries.

Justice Elfreida Oluwayemisi Williams-Dawodu dismissed the appeal filed by the Okocha-led faction as incompetent, affirming the earlier Rivers State High Court judgement that voided the congresses that produced the executives.

Ruling: All Decisions Since December 2024 Null and Void

The original High Court order by Justice Godswill Obomanu in December 2024 had nullified the party congresses. The Appeal Court ruling means that all decisions and representations made by the Okocha-led executive since December 20, 2024 are null, void, and of no effect. This raises questions about the validity of candidates produced by the faction for upcoming elections.

Emenike Ebete, counsel to the Emeka Beke-led APC faction that brought the suit, said: “The court said their appeal was incompetent and struck it out, meaning the order the high court made nullifying their congresses still stands.”

Okocha Faction Disputes Interpretation

However, Chibike Ikenga, publicity secretary of the Okocha faction, claimed the ruling was only on an interlocutory appeal and does not affect the status of the executive pending full trial. “There is no threat to the status of the EXCO pending full trial,” he said.

The ongoing leadership tussle in the Rivers APC has paralysed the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the state considered a key battleground between the Wike and Fubara political camps.

Sources: Daily Trust, Forefront NG